how to choose a criminal attorney from jail

Choose a lawyer that specializes in the type of crime that you are charged with. Try to find a lawyer via recommendations from friends or family or other people who may have used the lawyer in the past. You can get lawyer recommendations from the Bar Association in your state.

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How can a criminal defense lawyer help you avoid jail?

Look for an attorney who works only in criminal law. A general attorney who does a little bit of everything might not have the knowledge, connections and experience that you are going to need. You might be interested in: The criminal defense lawyer as a hero. Find a good communicator.

Do I need a lawyer for a criminal charge?

Jun 03, 2013 · 1. Many Bar Associations have lawyer referral services. The attorneys are designated by category and pay to be listed. 2. There are numerous private lawyer referral services. The attorneys are designated by category and pay to be listed. 3. You can ask a friend or colleague who used a criminal lawyer in the past for a recommendation. 4.

How do I find a good criminal defense lawyer?

Aug 27, 2015 · How do You Choose the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer? If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense in the State of Arizona, you face serious consequences. Specifically, you can be required to pay significant fines, perform community service, be placed on probation, serve time in jail or alternatively, be sentenced to prison.

What is an example of a criminal defense attorney?

Aug 01, 2010 · 1. Assemble a list of local defense lawyers. You can put this list together in several ways. The local bar association should have a roster of attorneys in the area who practice criminal law.You can also go through the phone book, conduct online searches, and take down information from advertisements.

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Tips

Try not to rush the selection of an attorney. Give yourself time to reflect on your choices.

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 306,469 times.

What questions should I ask a criminal defense attorney?

The following is a list of some important questions that a person may want to ask a potential criminal defense attorney in advance of retaining them. These include: 1 Whether the consultation session is free, and if not, what do they charge for it?; 2 How do they structure their fee arrangements? (e.g., do they bill by the hour, or is it a flat fee?); 3 Have they ever handled similar cases? If so, how many and what were the outcomes of those cases?; 4 How long does the attorney expect the case to go on for? (note that this will vary drastically by case and may even change during the course of it); 5 What type of law do they practice? Do they specialize in any subcategories or particular matters within criminal law?; 6 How many years of legal experience do they have in the criminal defense field?; 7 Are there other ways to resolve the case, or is court the only option?; 8 How often does the attorney update their clients? Is there a certain method they use to stay in touch with clients? What is it? Are they reachable by that same method?; and 9 Will the attorney-client privilege cover details about the case that are disclosed in the meeting? Will the privilege still apply, even if the attorney is not chosen to represent them?

What is the job of a criminal lawyer?

Among many other tasks, a good criminal lawyer will review the facts of a defendant’s case, make sure that the police followed the proper procedures to gather evidence, hire expert witnesses to testify on behalf of the defendant, and provide solid representation in court.

What is a criminal advocate?

A criminal advocate, more commonly known as a criminal defense attorney, is a type of lawyer who specializes in criminal law. Specifically, a criminal defense attorney focuses on protecting the legal rights of their client and making sure that the rights laid out in the U.S. Constitution continue to be upheld as they were intended.

Who initiates a criminal case?

Unlike a civil lawsuit, a criminal case is initiated by a government actor . In most criminal cases, this government representative is usually a district attorney or state prosecutor.

What can a criminal defense lawyer do?

A criminal defense lawyer can help you do just that by informing you about your rights under the law, conducting research to find potential defenses you can raise against your charges, and providing representation in criminal court.

What happens if a suspect pleads not guilty?

The suspect will then attend an arraignment hearing where they will either plead guilty or not guilty to the charges; Their plea will trigger the pretrial process (i.e., the stages where both the prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney build their respective cases);

What happens when a trial ends?

Once trial ends, the judge and/or jury will decide the outcome of the case; If the defendant is guilty, then they will need to attend a sentencing hearing where the court will issue a punishment; and. Finally, the defendant may file an appeal to try to reverse the decision of the trial court.

How to choose a lawyer?

How To Choose The Right Lawyer 1 Choose a lawyer that specializes in the type of crime that you are charged with. 2 Try to find a lawyer via recommendations from friends or family or other people who may have used the lawyer in the past. 3 You can get lawyer recommendations from the Bar Association in your state. 4 Also check your local Legal Aid Society for recommendations or for the availability of attorneys that do pro bono work.

What to do when you are out of jail?

Once you are out of jail awaiting trial, you have certain choices: you can stick with the lawyer you originally called or the public defender that was assigned to you, or you can pick a new lawyer. For a specific crime, it is a good idea to hire a lawyer that specializes in that area.

What happens if you get released without bail?

If you have a bail hearing, you lawyer will file a motion for OR (own recognizance) release. This means that they are requesting that the court allows you to be released without bail, on condition that you agree to appear in court when necessary.

How much does a lawyer charge per hour?

Depending on where you live, the severity of the crime or complexity of the case, and experience of the lawyer, fees can range from $50 per hour to $400 per hour. Don’t forget other expenses such as filing fees and court costs.

Do lawyers offer free representation?

Also, there are many organizations and programs out there that offer free representation in the form of pro bono lawyers. Most law firms offer pro bono lawyers, and in fact some state bar associations have a requirement that a lawyer complete a minimum amount of pro bono hours per year. Many lawyers don’t actually advertise pro bono services, so it is up to you to locate one. As with a public defender, you have to be able to prove your income level to qualify for their services.

Do not represent yourself?

Do not represent your self! Make sure you have an attorney representing you! In conclusion, there are a lot of things to take into account when choosing a lawyer to represent you. Do your homework, and don’t just go with the first one that you meet.

Do I need a lawyer for a speeding ticket?

Obviously, the need for a lawyer depends on the severity of the crime. While a speeding ticket or DUI may not necessarily warrant their services, if you are faced with anything more serious, it is essential. Remember, that you have the right to request a lawyer immediately. Once you make this request, you are not obliged to answer any more ...

What is a good criminal defense lawyer?

A great criminal defense lawyer is like a great golfer; he has multiple “clubs” in his bag to be successful for the client regardless of the situation. There are some cases where the lawyer must fight the facts, and, in other cases, challenging the law is the best strategy. In most cases, a lawyer that will fearlessly fight in multiple ways gives ...

Why do people hire criminal defense lawyers?

One of the main reasons people hire an experienced criminal defense attorney, as opposed to representing themselves or waiting for the court to appoint an attorney, is because they are concerned about jail time. You would want to personally discuss this question and your other concerns with an attorney because the best defense, in any case, is unique and tailored to each client and each case. A good and caring lawyer will take the time to listen to your concerns and talk with you about what strategy might be best to avoid a conviction and jail sentence. The options and strategies at a lawyer’s disposal are only limited by their will to fight for the client and that person’s experience.

Why is it important to consult with an attorney?

Because the stakes are so high, it is important to consult with an experienced attorney who can spend time answering your questions, hearing your story, and alleviating your fears. The information in this blog is intended to provide you some basic information and answers to general questions.

What is a criminal defense specialist?

A criminal defense specialist is an attorney whose legal practice is dedicated entirely to criminal defense and nothing else.

How to find a good lawyer?

The first step in finding the best possible lawyer to represent you begins with deciding what type of lawyer you need. You need to consider whether you need a general practice attorney, a bargain lawyer, or a criminal defense specialist. For instance, imagine for a moment that a person is suffering from a serious heart condition. If that person wants the best medical care, should he seek a general, family-style doctor or a cardiologist? For anything important in your life, you would like a specialist. Seeking representation on a criminal charge can be viewed similarly. Once you figure out the type of lawyer best suited to your situation, you can meet with one or more lawyers and choose the person that is the best fit for you and your circumstances. You would want someone specializing in defending people on felony and misdemeanor cases and has a track record of winning in court. A criminal defense specialist is an attorney whose legal practice is dedicated entirely to criminal defense and nothing else.

What is retained attorney?

A retained lawyer can start the process of collecting favorable evidence, preparing a defense, advising the client to take mitigating measures (like therapy, AA, polygraph tests, forensic evaluations, and more), and a retained attorney can begin this process either before charges are filed or early on in the case.

What happens if you don't have counsel?

The lack of counsel can result in police officers collecting evidence against you that could have been avoided. Additionally, lack of counsel can result in a missed opportunity to prevent the charge from ever going to court. A seasoned, successful attorney will know how to collect favorable evidence that can be used to defend you ...

Experience with Criminal Charges

Following a criminal charge, you have the right to represent yourself in a court of law. This is not advised no matter how minor the charge. Without years of experience and education, you're at a disadvantage.

Pre-Trial Negotiations

You'll need the help of your attorney well before the date of trial. Following your arrest, you'll face arraignment. During this court date, you'll be given the chance to enter into a plea. The choice you make to plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest will greatly affect the procedure of your trial.

Help with Appeals

While the job of your attorney is to keep you out of jail, the decision is ultimately left to a jury of your peers and/or a judge. Should the verdict not come down in your favor, you have the option to file for an appeal. With the help of a licensed attorney, filing appeals is easier than ever.